Happy Birthday, Astrodome! A look at the '8th wonder' then and now

KTRK logo
Thursday, April 9, 2020
TIMELINE: the saga of the Astrodome
TIMELINE: the saga of the Astrodome

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The future of the Astrodome hasn't always been clear. Here's the city's love/hate relationship with the Eighth Wonder of the World has gone down.

1962

  • Astrodome groundbreaking
  • 1965

  • Astrodome opened to the public
  • 1996

  • Houston Oilers played their final season in the Astrodome before leaving Houston
  • Minute Maid Park was approved to be built
  • 1999

  • Astros played their last season in the Dome
  • 2000

  • Officials broke ground on NRG Stadium
  • 2005

  • Dome used as a shelter during Hurricane Katrina
  • 2008

  • Astrodome closed to visitors
  • 2013

  • Voters rejected $217 million "New Dome Experience"
  • 2015

  • County officials traveled to Germany for research
  • 2017

  • Astrodome became a protected state landmark
  • 2018

  • $105 million renovation project passed